Tractor borne disk harrow



May 13, 1952 MCKAY 2,596,579

TRACTOR BORNE DISK HARROW Filed April 24, 1946 2 SHEETSSHEET l -fmmkg (Augusta I WflcQcaq Patented May 13, 1952 TRACT-R BORNE DISK HARROW Augusta. P. McKay, Cedartown, Ga., assignor to Rome Plow Company, Cedar-town, Ga., a corporation of Georgia.

Application April 24, 1946, Serial No. 664,510

7 Claims. 1

The present invention is particularly applicable to reversible disc harrows although in some of its broader aspects it is applicable to still other types of implements for tractors.

One object of the present invention is to provide an implement adapted to be raised and lowered by a power lift device on a tractor from which it is trailed and which embodies a novel and simplified arrangement for permitting lateral tilt of the implement to accommodate changes in ground contour, all without interfering with the raising and lowering connection.

Another object is to provide a reversible disc harrow embodying a novel and easily manipulated arrangement for connecting the gangs to the main frame so as to accommodate reversal, or angular adjustment of the gangs, or both. In particular, the arrangement is such that when the harrow main frame is elevated by a power lift device on the tractor, the gangs can be swung or pivoted, while remaining suspended beneath the main frame, to reverse or otherwise alter their positions.

Still another object is to provide a disc harrow adapted in a novel and simplified manner for effecting adjustment for alternative ridging and ditching operation.

The invention also resides in various structural improvements and novel combinations of elements by means of which a rugged and efficient implement is made possible at low cost.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a reversible disc harrow embodying the present invention and shown as trailed from a tractor, only the rear end portion of which appears and with the near rear wheel removed to expose the hitch mechanism,

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the harrow shown in Fig. 1 and of the associated hitch elements.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but showing the harrow gangs reversed so thatthe discs cut 'in rather than out as in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged end elevation of the harrow main frame and associated draft beam, with the forward portion of the latter shown in section substantially along the line 4-4 in Fig. 2, and the discs indicated simply in broken lines.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary rear elevation of the harrow with a portion of a main frame and one of the underlying gang frames broken away.

Fig. 6 is a detailed perspective view, on a somewhat enlarged scale, of one of the two double gang frames.

Although a particular embodiment of the invention has been shown and described in some detail, there is no intention to limit the invention to such particular embodiment, but on the other hand, the intention is to cover all modifications and alternative constructions, falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the invention has been exemplified as embodied in a reversible disc harrow designed for application to a tractor such for example as that indicated at T in Fig. 1. Although only a part of the rear end portion of the tractor appears, it will be readily identified by those skilled in the art as being the familiar Ford lightweight agricultural tractor equipped with the hydraulically operated hitch mechanism of the Ferguson System. Accordingly, simply a brief identification of the few elements which appear and which are directly associated with the harrow will suflice.

The tractor T is equipped with a pair of rear traction wheels, one of which is indicated at It) in Fig. 1, carried by a rear axle II and at the center portion of which is a differential housing I2. A pair of laterally spaced draft links [4 (see also Fig. 2) are universally pivoted at [5 on opposite sides of the differential housing [2, beneath and slightly forward of the rear axle ll. These links M trail rearwardly for attachment of an implement or the like. Drop links l6 support the draft links I4 from a pair of crank arms I! rigid with a rock shaft [8. The latter shaft is rocked by a hydraulic ram (not shown) to oscillate the arms I! and thus swingthe draft links M vertically. For detail of the hydraulic unit and associated draft linkage reference may be made to Henry George Ferguson Patent No. 2,118,180, issued May 24, 1938.

As to the harrow itself, it comprises a main frame, designated generally as 20 (Fig. 2), and to the underside of which are suitably fixed the frames 2! of a pair of disc gangs designated generally as 22. By turning the individual gangs end-for-end, their discs may be faced either outward or inward, as shown respectively in Figs. 2 and 3. Moreover, the angles of the individual gangs with reference to the main frame may be selectively adjusted, all as hereinafter detailed.

The main frame 20 is shown as being of rectangular fiat shape, elongated transversely of the path of travel for the implement. In the present instance it is fashioned from suitable lengths of angle iron welded together to form a rigid structure. Extending between the front and rear members of the main frame 20, at laterally spaced the horizontal webs (see Fig. l) so as to stiffen the frame against bowing. V

The two disc gangs 22 are duplicates; so a description of one will suffice -forlboth. The to'p frame 2| of each such gang is generally-rectangular in form (see Fig. 6) being fashioned from a pair of angle irons 21 joined-by transverse bars 24, 25 and 26 suitably welded thereto. De pending from opposite ends of the frame lll -are pairs of legs 21 joined by angle irons 28 and to which are clampedibearingsiza by U bolts fiil (see Fig. These bearings journalfiash'aftfil on which-' are fi-i'ked di's'cs fiv A'scraper i (Fig. 5-7 depends fionl tlie center bar 2 5 in 'position to preVnt dir-t' ffiom b'uildingfup' -the 'space betweem the cnti palr' 'of discs; The flat upper faces or tlie gangframes 2i are eiaiirpea d t-":race=to-raee contactwith the flat li'r l'der 'side the:.main frame whom-the gangs in posit This-general style of construetionmin es the-c'ver-all"height'of the ding away with the tendency to tfalpl -o ich is n'br-mally incident to a high superstructure; Moreover, the connections simple-character, makingiteasy to re- "djll'st the gang-positions when the main frame -e'l fated by-the"hydraulic mechanism on*- tlfe'-- fatter-ee s hereinafter described" in 7 somewhat more dtai'l.

teas clamp frame in -"and; a-coi re'spond-ing one of two series of holefs wwaseewm the gang frame bar 26. The proper hmesare; ofcourse, determinedby -the lon'g'i tudinal position of the gangwith respect to' the fmairr frame. Theholes 31 and 38 determine the angle ofthe gangs with reference to the line 0t travel of the imple'ment. Thus when the: angs fare' ieeatee: with the-discs facing outward' as irrEig-s'fit e belts-'34 arepassed through registering ones of' the -hols"35"and 31 on one side-and holesee and 33' on'theother side, whereaswhenthe'discsare'faced "inward as in Fig. 3, the gangs-are"in"eifect'turned end-for-end and the bolts"34register'with the proper holes 36. In either caseithepaif"ofbdlts 33 and 34 for each gang T claifip it tightly against the underside of the-mainframe anda sufficient number of holes isavaiiabie to afiord a fairly widerange of angular adjustmentof the-gangs with the discs facedieither inward oroutward. Desirably the holes 37and -3 8 are orsquare shape so that-by using carriage bolts-forthe'bolt 34, the'usual square shanks on-thelatter wi-ll engage'the square etiie mainframe 2B; bolts 33 (Figs;

4 holes and prevent turning of the bolts when the nut is being threaded on or off.

The ease of handling the gangs 22 in reversing them is an important aspect of the connecting arrangement just described. With the main frame elevated by the hydraulic unit on the tractor, the gangs 22 are suspended beneath it, free of'the ground. "While-so suspendedzthe bolts 35. are removedbut the bolts 33 are-merely'loosened slightly. Then the gangs can be swung or pivoted about the bolts 33 to turn them end-for-end and thebolts-34 inserted for the new position. Similarly, in adjusting the angular position of a gang, the-bolt 36 is removed and shifted while the gang remains-suspendedby its bolt 33. In either case,

' The connection of the forward end iot the draft beam to-the tractor draft links l4 issubstanti ally the same asthat disclosediin flmy-Reissue l atent No. 22,627, reissued April 3, 1945;- Thus la trans verse drawbar 42 is connected tothe trailingends i 39. 39 iIf-a-directinfore-andaft the latteri' of the draft links i I 4 and has:p'rojectingzfonwardly from it a pair of struts 43 spanned by a plate 44 which receives a king pin AS fQr'piVoting the forward end of the draft beam closely' adjaoent the rear end-of -'the-tractor; The wearplate dl coacts' with an underlying wear -plate dfi -iFfg'e 4 toslidably engage the draw-bar an'd tli us gui'de the draft beam 39y39 during -lateral swin'g of the same with reference towthe drawbari It is particularly to beobservedthat th'e draft beam 39, 39 extends-rearward-ly to the mam frame 20 without any diagonal braeing -orother impedimentsto torsional twisting' -of th'e beam. The beam isdesigned 'tohave sufficienti torsional flexibility to permit the harrow=-"main"-frame= to rock laterally with referenceao' the tractor.

this way, the implement motion is---acc ommo-,- dated to irregularities ground *contour." on the other handkthe connection of theizi plement to the tractor is suificientlyrigid--(there"being no hinging' for vertical or latera tilt of the impla ment) to permit bodily"raising'and'*loweringof the implement by the-hydraulically"- operated draft links l4 on the--tractori Two'more orless conflicting requirements are thus fireconcildt Provision is made -fo'r='rockably -[adjusting the main frame-20 mm reference: to-the draft 'beam tering holesemzxtlre'Edraft beam membBES 3951 By placing the pin 52 in an appropriate one of the series of holes 5|, the angle of the harrows main frame with reference to the draft beam can be correspondingly and readily adjusted.

With the discs 32 set to out out as in Fig. 2, and with the pin 52 in the uppermost hole 5|, the discs will work the soil level as in the ordinary discing operation. By placing the pin in one or another of the holes 5|, the frame 20 will be rocked backward about its pivot bolt 41 to cause the inner ones of the discs 32 to cut deeper and the outer ones to cut shallower so that the result will form a trench. On the other hand, if the gangs are reversed as in Fig. 3, rocking the main frame 20 rearwardly will cause the center discs to cut shallower and the outer ones to cut deeper so that a ridge will be formed. The depth of the ditch or height of the ridge will be determined by the hole selected within, of course, the eifec tive range of the implement. Where the depth or height required is beyond such range, successive passes of the implement will be made. In either case the frame can be quickly and easily fixed in its desired adjusted position by the pin 52.

To complete the connection of the implement to the tractor, an upright standard 33 (Fig. 1) with a re-enforcing strut 54 is bolted to the forward portion of the draft beam 39, 39. Pivoted to the upper end of this standard 53 is a compression or top link 55 which extends forward to the tractor, the front end of this link 55 being pivoted to the shackle 55 normally provided on the tractor as part of the Ferguson system hitch. As is customary in such Ferguson system installations, forward rocking of the shackle 56 is resisted by a compression spring 51. And as detailed in the Ferguson patent referred to above, the installation on the tractor is such that when the compression in the top link 55 reaches a predetermined amount, the resultant forward rocking of the shackle 56 causes pressure fluid to be admitted to the hydraulic ram (not shown) for raising the crank arms I1. The particular implement here disclosed is not, in its normal operation, on the system. In other words, during the normal operation of this harrow, there is not a sufficient compression load applied to the top link 55 to cause any automatic operation of the hydraulic system. The arrangement is such, however, that the drag load on the discs 32 causes the draft beam 39, 39 to tend to nose downward, thus causing the standard 53 to tend to rock forward and put the top link 55 under compression. Consequently, should the drag load on the discs become excessive, the resultant forward thrust on the top link 55 will cause the hydraulic unit to raise the draft links l4 automatically and thereby diminish the penetration of the discs into the ground and hence the load on them. The principal purpose of the standard 53 and top link 55 is in this case, however, to retain the implement draft beam 39, 39 generally horizontal as the draft links I4 are raised and lowered under manual control of the hydraulic system so that the implement will, accordingly, be raised and lowered bodily between transport and workin positions.

The operation of the disclosed apparatu will, in general, be clear from the foregoing. By way of brief recapitulation let it be assumed first of all that the operator is ready to couple the implement onto the tractor. For that purpose he has only to insert the reduced pin-shaped ends 42 of the draw bar 42 (Fig. 2) in the usual ball joints at the trailing ends of the draft links I4,

6 insert lynch pins 42", and connect the top link 55 to the standard 53 by inserting a pivot pin 51 (Fig. 1). i

The implement is adjusted for either ridging or ditching, as may be required, by placing the gangs in the proper positions of reversal as shown in Fig. 3 or 2 and then making the adjustment for the height of the ridge or depth of the ditch by removing the pin 52 and rocking the main frame 20 about its pivot pin 41 to the required position whereupon the pin 52 is reinserted.

The gangs 22 will be positioned with their disks 32 facing either in or out depending upon the particular type or form of cultivation to be accomplished.- Such an implement as that shown is used for various purposes as, for example, in seed bed preparation and cultivation of row rops or in orchard or vineyard work. It may in some instances be desirable to work the earth away from the rows during a part of the growing season and finish the cultivation by working the earth back to the rows. Accordingly, the discs are faced in or out depending upon the direction of said motion desired. In the building of terraces, rice irrigation levees and similar soil moving operations, the present implement is also eminently satisfactory.

To reverse the gangs 22 with the present implement, the operator shifts the usual hand control or quadrant lever (not shown) on the tractor to cause the hydraulic unit to raise the draft links I4, thus lifting the implement bodily from the ground. The bolts 34 are removed and the bolts 33 loosened slightly so that the gangs can be swiveled freely although still remaining suspended beneath the main frame 20 by the bolts 33. The gangs are then swung into a desired position, as, for example, from that of Fig. 2 to that of Fig. 3, and the bolts 34 inserted again in the new position. Change of angle of the gangs is equally simple.

The tractor is driven to its point of use with the harrow in its elevated or transport position. Shifting the previously mentioned hand control lever on the tractor to lowering position exhausts pressure fluid from the hydraulic unit so that the draft links [4 and attached implement are permitted to lower by gravity until the discs 32 come to rest in the ground in working position.

From the foregoing it will be perceived that a simple, rugged and easily manipulatable reversible disc harrow has been provided.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a reversible disc harrow for a tractor having a power lift device thereon, the combination of a main frame having front and rear rails spanned by laterally spaced supports extending fore and aft intermediate the ends of said rails, means for detachably connecting said frame in trailed relation to the tractor and for also operatively connecting said frame to said lift device for bodily lifting and lowering thereby, a pair of disc gangs pivoted to respective ones of said supports to swing generally horizontally therebeneath while remaining suspended therefrom when said frame is bodily elevated by the power lift device, said rear rail having two pairs of rows of holes therein arranged with the rows in each pair dispersed on opposite sides of a corresponding one of said supports, each of said gangs also having a row of holes therein arranged to register individually with individual ones of said holes in said rear rail, and fastening devices adapted to be entered in any one of the holes in said rear 7. rail and 1a xholezrinzthe:correspondingrzgans ;for; locking such gangtimezcorrespondingposition of angular adjustment with reference to saidiframe. )ZHIn an attachment :for a stractor havinga power lift" :(device :thereomnthe: combination of :a

mainframe havingazdraftbeam projecting;for-. wardlyathere'from, means :for :trailingly r connect-v ingsaidbeamto :the tractorsandvpowerlift. device for lifting :andlowcringiiof zv'thecbea-m lbyQsuch device with. the: beam protruding stifflygfrom'tthe rear 'of the tractor so ;as to correspondinglyiraise and lower said frame and while leaving said beam free ;to=;swing .laterally,l and: saidubeambeinggfree of torsional; bracing throughout am substantial portionof the-length; thereof and torsionally flexe iblfiztO an-zextentwhichrpermitsdateralatiltinggof said;main: frame "with: referenceito ithettracton in passing over'uneven ground.ti

' 3.; In an=zattachmentfor "a'ttractor xhavingxa vertically swingable'rdraft' linkctrailing .rfrom". its e DOrtiomasrWell as :a shower :lift; device on 2' the tractor: for;.raisingrsaid';link;;the rcombina tion' ofja mainiframe'. having atdraft .zbeamnproe jectingiorwardly; therefrom; means :for. :attaehe ing; the forward :portion ofxsaidpbeamrbodily to said:dr'aft linkzforiiateralswingqofijthe beamawith reference: to saidslink: while retainingssaid' beam substantially in longitudinal alignment with'asaid link during raisingzandlowering otthe latter,:and saidibeamibeingiree of torsionalzbracing through; out :a ssubstantialaportion 'of- 'then'jengtkr thereof and torsionally .ifiexibleato -can ':extent which: .pere mits lateral tiltingiofi said-mainframe withirefer ence' tothe. tractor inzpassinglover. uneveniground.

4. .Inian implement: attachinentlfonai-tractor havingiaapairnf laterally rspacedrdraf ti links trail-i ingl-y 'Pivote'd, on;its:;rea11;endiportioncat. points located forwardly yofu'andmeneath; ttheirear axle of the tractor andaarrangedfo be swung vertically byia nowerzliftidevice 011:1the tractor; the ,vcom

, standard; for. pirotally connectin'gdlhe same: to a compressionziink extendingzfororardhk to: a point on the tractor: above "the rear 'axle aOf-Ihfl flatter, and said draft beam being. freezofltorsionalabrac-; ing throughcutasubstantial portion ofthe. length thereof and torsionally flexible to ian extentwhich permits lateral tilting ofssaidfmainvframezwith reference to theitractor-in passing ,over; uneven ound. V

5. In a reversible disc barrow; the. combination of a centrally arranged draft beam: extending longitudinally of. the path of; travel, a-mainframe. extending; transversely of the ;path of travel and pivotedon thetrailing-portion of said-draft beam to rock generallyfore-andaft ,-.thereon,:a pair :of disc gangs pivoted l-beneath said :main;.f1-ame.'at points. eccentric with respect to eachgang; means for vreleasably locking ,said gangszin: alternative reversed positions therefor, a tongue securedqto said 'main. frame land-i extending; forwardly there-: from in the .general direction of i; and in: close proximity to said. .draf-t beam and terminating file of this patent:

V 8 V inigthe medial regions of! said .dr-af-t beam, :and means for. selectively {securing the i-extreme forward" end of said tongue to :the;medialpregionstof said draft beam in selected:positions to lockzsaid frame in various positions of rocking adjustment.

tie-Ina reversible-disc harrowl for azrtractor havinga' power lift device'thereon; the ncombinae tion of a-emain frame, means-.-;for detachably connecting said frame inv trailed :relation: 170317116 tractor and for also operatively ,connectingssaid frame: to said lift device ,for :bodilyg; lifting: and lowering thereby, apair of disc igangssaeach hav-ling a: subframe; said .fmain frameccomprisingaa border :frame with. spaced front .andzrear :rails, a pair of supporting .bars spanning ithe gapizbee tween said rails and :slidable :freelyxendw-ise: of the lattergand'pivot means for n'eleasablyrsecure ing. said vsubframes to 'respective ones ofz said'rbars with said main frame clampedibetWeeneachsube frame and thefcorrespondingrbar "and wvith 'said subframes in positions ofselected angular-adjust mentwith reference to saidmainfr'ame, the -posi-i tion of said'bars longitudinally of saidinain frame being. determinative 5 of "the longitudinal spacing of said gangs.

.7 In a reversible disc narrow; a centrally disposed draft beam extending:longitudinally of the forward path of "travel 0f-the"harrow-,= an elongated relatively narrow main frame-extending transversely of said beam,- means pivotally mounting said main frameon' the trailingend of said beam for rockingmovement in'a-fore and'aft direction, a pair of disc gangs pivotally secured to said main frame on opposite sidesof the beam and at eccentric points with respect to each gang; means for selectively releasably; locking-g said gangs in reverse positions, a'tonguesecured "to said main frame and-extending'forwardlythere from in the general direction of and int-close proximity to said draft beam-and terminating'in the --medial regions of thel-lattenythere' being a longitudinally extending slot formed'ini said draft beam; a'plate securedto'and depending from. the

forward endof saidmainframe and projecting through said slot, said plate being provided with a series of holes therein," 'there'bein'g a: hole formed in the medialregions "of *saidbeam. 'designed for selective-register withsaid first men! tioned' holes and .a'locking'pinadaptedto pass through selected alined holes"insaidplatehand said beam for 'lockingsaid main frame in various. selected positionsof .locking adjustment.

AUGUSTA PfMcKAY;

REFER-EN CES "f CIT ED The r following references are: of record in the UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,509,748 Billings Sept. 23; 1924 11786363 Peterson Dec. 30, 1930 2,152,347 Ferraro 3 Mar. 28,1939 2,336A10 McKay; VD'ec.17,i"19 43' 2,431,959 Olson et al'; D'ec.:2,'j1947. 214301732 Orelind et al. Nov. 11,,1947

FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country, Date;

7349 463 Italy, June15j193'l 

